30 Days Of 2013 Ram 1500: Photo Gallery
Our month with the 2013 Ram 1500 is about half over, so it's time to switch gears. The Ram's been... Read More
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Interesting and stylish, the Sonata offers an engaging mix of traditional sedan and four-door coupe rolled into one.
We see more than a little Volkswagen Passat CC and the Mercedes-Benz CLS in the roofline as the Sonata's designers look to pay homage to the four-door coupe styling rage, but the sleek look is for more than just show.
The resulting huge gaping maw in the front of this vehicle only needs a few rows of baleen and it could strain the oceans for plankton (better opt for a dark hue to hide it).
Classy interior and smooth-operating, firm-feeling controls were more like you'd expect in a near-luxury car. Even just operating the turn signal stalk or pulling the shift lever into gear could generate a tiny shiver of delight.
The interior is tastefully and ergonomically styled with only a small amount of cheap plastic around the controls.
STYLING | 8 out of 10
Expert Quotes:
Interesting and stylish, the Sonata offers an engaging mix of traditional sedan and four-door coupe rolled into one.
Autoblog
We see more than a little Volkswagen Passat CC and the Mercedes-Benz CLS in the roofline as the Sonata's designers look to pay homage to the four-door coupe styling rage, but the sleek look is for more than just show.
Motor Trend
The resulting huge gaping maw in the front of this vehicle only needs a few rows of baleen and it could strain the oceans for plankton (better opt for a dark hue to hide it).
Inside Line
Classy interior and smooth-operating, firm-feeling controls were more like you'd expect in a near-luxury car. Even just operating the turn signal stalk or pulling the shift lever into gear could generate a tiny shiver of delight.
USA Today
The interior is tastefully and ergonomically styled with only a small amount of cheap plastic around the controls.
Automobile
In four previous generations of sedans (five, if you count one version not sold in the U.S.), the Sonata’s been a conservatively styled piece. For the 2011 edition, Hyundai’s chucked caution out the driver’s window and endowed the Sonata with an intriguing blend of crests and curves. They call it "fluidic sculpture" design language. We think it’s a daring look for a family sedan, with lots of curves and arcs accentuated by a deep sculptural strake in its side. There’s lots of movement implied in the side view, and the grille has some of the “wave” look of the latest Infinitis.
In all, it’s exciting and engaging, particularly parked next to the more utilitarian 2010 Sonata—and with the Altima and Fusion, it’s among our favorite sedans to see. There are some imperfect details, though. You might notice the gathering of cutlines where the mirror meets the front fenders, and the unusual arrow of chrome that rolls down the front fenders. Overall, the Sonata’s handsome, jazzy, and a visual standout in its class.
The cabin takes its own chances, winning most of its bets, but it’s a little out there, on the edge of cutting edge for traditional family-sedan shoppers. The interior shares some themes with the big Hyundai Genesis sedan, including the vents that flank a big LCD screen atop the dash. The new Sonata has even more dramatic sculpturing in its steering wheel and dash cap than the Genesis, and gets cut-tube-style instruments as well as an iconographic climate control shaped like a human. It’s adventurous and functional, and maybe a little more dramatic than some families will want—especially in contrast with the 2010 Sonata’s sedately good-looking dash. The Sonata can be had with a variety of dash trim: the SE gets metallic, grained plastic trim that will wear well, but painted plastic trim on the steering wheel, which won’t. The Sonata Limited has piano-black trim, save for beige-interior cars, which get woodgrain.
Conclusion
Hyundai joins Ford and Nissan in crafting a compelling look for its mainstream sedan.
